Choosing the right tour can make or break your travel experience. With so many companies offering similar itineraries, sometimes at very different price points, it can all get a bit confusing. If you’re going to spend your hard earned money, you want to make sure you’re getting the best value. Here are ten key factors to consider when comparing tours to make sure you choose the one that best suits your personality, travel preferences and needs.
1. Itinerary and Activities
The itinerary is the heart of any tour. Compare the destinations, activities, and pace of each tour:
- Destinations: Check if the tour covers the spots you’re excited about. Some tours may include unique stops or off-the-beaten-path experiences, while others stick only to the popular attractions.
- Activity Level: Are you looking for a relaxed sightseeing tour or an adventure-packed trip with hiking, biking, or other activities? Ensure the tour’s activity level matches your fitness and interests.
- Free Time vs. Structured Time: Some travellers prefer a packed schedule, while others want flexibility to explore independently. Look at how much free time is built into the itinerary.
2. Transportation and Logistics
How you get around can affect your comfort and convenience:
- Mode of Transport: Compare whether tours use privately chartered buses, trains, boats and the like, or whether you’ll be doing the whole thing by public transport, or a mix. Private transport is often more comfortable but pricier.
- Travel Time: Look at how much time is spent travelling between destinations. Apart from being very uncomfortable, long bus rides will eat into your sightseeing time.
3. Group Size and Demographics
The size and makeup of the tour group can significantly impact your experience:
- Group Size: Smaller groups (up to 20 people) often provide a more personalised experience and easier access to guides, attractions and local restaurants, while larger groups (30–50+) may offer lower prices but feel less intimate. Larger groups can also create delays in the itinerary when checking into hotels and so on. More on the benefits of small group tours here.
- Demographics: Some tours cater to specific age groups, such as young backpackers, families, or seniors. Check if the tour’s target audience aligns with your preferences for a compatible group dynamic. After all, part of the joy of travel is sharing it with like-minded people.
4. Accommodation Quality
Where you stay can affect your comfort and enjoyment:
- Type of Lodging: Are you staying in hotels, hostels, guesthouses, or unique accommodations like homestays or campsites? And is the company being transparent about where you’ll be staying? If they mention the name of the hotel, check reviews for cleanliness, location, and amenities.
- Star Rating: If hotels are included, compare their ratings (e.g., 3-star vs. 5-star) to ensure they meet your expectations and provide value for money.
- Location: Are accommodations centrally located or far from the most interesting part of a city? A central location means you can easily get out and about and genuinely engage in your destination.
5. Tour Leader/Guide Expertise
A knowledgeable and engaging leader/guide can elevate your experience:
- Tour Leader or Guide: On some tours, you will be met by your local guide at your hotel on the first day of the tour, while other companies have one of their own experienced dedicated Tour Leaders travelling with the group as well as utilising local guides in all the key destinations in the itinerary. These tours are often a little more expensive but you have the comfort and safety of knowing that every aspect of your tour is being looked after, wherever you are.
Qualifications: Look for tours with certified or experienced leaders and guides who know the destination’s history, culture, and hidden gems.
6. Cultural and Local Engagement
A great tour immerses you in the destination’s culture:
- Local Interaction: Does the tour include opportunities to meet locals, participate in cultural activities, or dine at authentic restaurants?
- Authenticity: Some tours prioritise photo ops at touristy spots, while others focus on authentic experiences and spending enough time in a place to truly get a sense of it.
7. The Time of Year
Due to weather patterns, the time of the year that you travel to a destination can be the difference between a fabulous and a miserable time. Make sure you research the travel dates on the itinerary to ensure the weather will give you the best chance of enjoying your time and maximising your chances to see the sights.
- Low season: Cheaper tours are often ones being operated in the low season when no-one else wants to be there. Monsoonal weather patterns will deliver more rainy days than not. Some destinations are simply too hot at certain times of the year, and could be dangerous for older travellers, while destinations with too much snow and ice could have you slipping and sliding your way around a place, trying not to fall over.
- High Season: In most destinations, this is when everyone else will also be where you’re going! Tour prices are more expensive because hotels and transport prices are at their highest, and you’ll be battling crowds wherever you turn, making the simple act of finding a restaurant for dinner stressful.
- Shoulder season: Look for tours that are being operated in the month or two either side of the high season. You are highly likely to still have fabulous weather but without the crowds.
8. Price and Inclusions
Cost is a major factor in any travel decision, but don’t just go for the cheapest option. If it looks too good to be true, then there’s usually a catch somewhere. Compare what’s included in the price:
- Inclusions: Does the tour cover meals, accommodations, entrance fees, transportation, and activities? Some companies only include breakfast each day, while others include numerous meals (sometimes including drinks). Some companies include airport transfers, while others don’t. A higher upfront cost might actually save you money if it includes more
- Exclusions: Be aware of what’s not covered, like optional excursions, meals, transportation, tips, visa costs, or travel insurance. Hidden costs can add up quickly.
- Value for Money: A budget tour might skimp on quality accommodations, meals, or experienced guides, while a premium tour might offer unique experiences and a raft of inclusions that justify the price.
9. Cancellation Policies
Life is unpredictable, so understanding a company’s policies is essential:
- Refundable deposits: Check whether your deposit is refundable if you cannot proceed with your booking, or whether it can be ‘rolled over’ as a credit on a future booking.
- Cancellation Terms: Check the refund policy in case you need to cancel or reschedule. Some companies offer full refunds up to a certain date, while others have stricter terms.
- Insurance: Does the tour company require or recommend travel insurance? This can protect you from unexpected cancellations or emergencies.
10. Customer Support
Good customer service can make a big difference:
- Pre-Tour Support: Is the company responsive to questions before booking? Test their communication by reaching out with enquiries.
- On-Tour Support: Does the company have one of their own Tour Leaders travelling with the group to provide 24/7 support on tour
- Feedback Mechanism: Look for companies that value customer feedback and address concerns promptly.
Final Tips
- Make a Comparison Checklist: Create a table comparing key factors like price, inclusions, group size, and itinerary for each tour.
- Ask Questions: Reach out to tour operators with specific questions about your concerns, such as dietary accommodations or accessibility.
- Trust Your Instincts: If a tour feels too good to be true or raises red flags, keep searching for one that aligns with your expectations.
By carefully evaluating these factors, you can choose a tour that matches your budget, interests, and travel style. Take your time to research and compare—your dream trip is worth the effort!
If you’ve made it this far, take a few minutes to discover all the exciting Railway Adventures tours we have coming up.
One response to “10 Things Travellers Should Consider When Comparing Tours from Different Companies”
Been on many rail adventures tours here in Australia and overseas and have found them very informative. Well catered for in every way.
Any problems that may occur are attended to in a very professional way and all accommodation and transportation are well above everyone’s expectations.
As much as some people may think the prices are high I can highly recommend Rail Adventure Tours for the excellent tour leaders and everything that is organised for the tour.